THE PENALTY PHASE: Moralez finally converts one after missing two

CARSON, Calif. — When Maxi Moralez stepped up to take a penalty kick deep into first-half stoppage time, there probably was more than one New York City FC supporter who held his or her breath.

After all, he already had missed two penalties this season and its only May.

This time, however, Moralez converted his attempt to score City’s second goal in what turned into a 2-0 win over the LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center Saturday.

“Anytime I grab the ball I always have confidence,” Moralez said. “I wouldn’t be the first to miss a penalty so when you go up there you try and thankfully it went in today. It worked to add to our lead.”

NYCFC head coach Dome Torrent had all of the confidence in the world in his star midfielder.

“That means he has personality,” he said. “I remember when Leo Messi missed a penalty sometimes in Barcelona, nobody asked about Leo, ‘Are you sure you want to take the penalty?’ Yes, you have personality, ok.

“When you decide to shoot the penalty or free kicks it is about the personality, it is not in the training. We have three-four players able to shoot the penalties really well, but if one player decides to shoot the penalty to me that is not a problem.”

About The Author

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered eight World Cups, seven Olympics and all 21 MLS Cups. He writes about New York City FC, New York Cosmos and the U.S. national team for Newsday and pens a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has two more in the works, including one about the Rochester Lancers.